Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 446 · 40 questions

Debater's tip (Two sides, one motion): Motion: the statement being debated, often starting “This House believes…” or “This House would…”. Proposition: for the motion, speaks first, defines the key words, ends “I beg to propose”. Opposition: against it, answers the proposition, ends “I beg to oppose”. Good debate topics for students have two real sides; a plain fact is not debatable.

1. 1.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
2. 2.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
3. 3.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
4. 4.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
5. 5.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the timekeeper (c) the last speech (d) the topic statement
6. 6.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) must disprove the motion
7. 7.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) may test the definition (c) must prove the motion (d) defines the key words
8. 8.True or false: “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
9. 9.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) speaks first (b) may test the definition (c) answers the proposition (d) is against the motion
10. 10.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes board games beat screen games.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
11. 11.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) says “I beg to propose” (b) is for the motion (c) may test the definition (d) defines the key words
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) may test the definition (c) must disprove the motion (d) defines the key words
13. 13.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
14. 14.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) defines the key words (c) must prove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
15. 15.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
16. 16.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) must disprove the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) is against the motion (d) defines the key words
17. 17.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
18. 18.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) defines the key words (b) speaks first (c) must prove the motion (d) is against the motion
19. 19.⚖️ Which side is for the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
20. 20.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
21. 21.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
22. 22.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) answers the proposition (c) must disprove the motion (d) is against the motion
23. 23.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
24. 24.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would ban homework at weekends.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
25. 25.⚖️ Which side may test the definition? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
26. 26.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the opposition (c) the judges (d) the proposition
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes every school needs a garden.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.True or false: “This House would start school an hour later.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.📜 A good motion must have… (a) two sides to argue (b) no clear meaning (c) a hidden answer (d) one right answer
30. 30.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) speaks first (c) must disprove the motion (d) says “I beg to propose”
31. 31.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) speaks first (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) says “I beg to oppose” (d) defines the key words
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
33. 33.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the opposition (d) the proposition
34. 34.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
35. 35.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to oppose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
36. 36.True or false: “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.True or false: “This House would make homework optional.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes a week has seven days.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False

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